Job Discussion Forums

[Tiger Beer]

If you were to leave Japan, where would you go?

I'm very content in Japan, actually I'd like to work myself towards Tokyo.

But if I were to go somewhere else, maybe China (i.e. Shanghai) or Western U.S. (Hawaii, California, Nevada).

How about yourselves? Or even anywhere you are curous about?

[Shonai Ben]

I'd be off to Thailand......got a buddy living in Bangkok and he loves it there......been to Thailand once myself and want to go back......

[Nabby Adams]

I have one of two thoughts. Go on a world TEFL tour. I have up to 18 years figured out in about the same number of countries. The fear is that I'd end up a pretty rootless person at the end of it.

Or try out my favoured destinations and try to find a home to settle down in. Eternal spring climate, cheap living, clean city with enough culture, few good friends, abundant eye candy and an ok job. Or as close as I can get to it. Quito, Kumming, Brazil, Bandung, Lisbon spring to mind.

Or settle in the nearest cesspool of SEAsia.

[maya.the.bee]

realistically --> back to the states
in my wildest dreams ---> central europe

being stateside makes it difficult to travel the way i would like to but visa issues make it difficult to work in the EU. maybe someday...but not now

[Mapleblondie]

If I were going to live abroad after living in Japan, I'd probably go to Korea because of the money. It would definitely be a huge culture change from Japanese culture in a lot of ways, but I keep telling myself I'd be able to handle it if I did a lot of research in advance on customs, foods, the language, etc. They seem to have a lot fo good opportunities, as does China, for certified teachers...So it would be nice to have that recognized. But for now, I want to be in Japan...I love it!

[parrothead]

Nepal. Then South America. I'd like to try a shot at Argentina. Japan is such a financially safe place to be at the moment though.

[Tiger Beer]

[parrothead]

It's hard not to include everywhere I want to go. Thesedays I'm not happy with just visiting foreign countries. I kinda hafta live there. It's the only way to see all the flawed and redeemable qualities of a place.

[AndyH]

If I were younger and single, Thailand. Possibly Europe.

[Nabby Adams]

Tiger, very interesting response. Uncanny to find some one who has already lived my life.

So how do you think Japan compares to where you've taught? If you had to choose one of the places you have experienced as the place to spend the rest of your life teaching where would it be?

[dove]

I left Japan and now I'm in Sao Paulo, Brazil. But I want return to Japan, and I will in late August. I am so glad I came here, though. I got some adventure out of my system (Japan was getting to me after 4 years and I saw myself becoming a bit bitter and so bored.....I NEEDED a change!). Now I realize that safety and stability are good things and Japan is the place for having those things. I know that I am lucky because I had the means (and the cajones) to head to Brazil to get the bitterness and boredom out of my system. And I also know that I am so lucky to still have a valid Japanese work visa( and money saved....but not from Brazil; money from working in Japan) to easily return to Japan. Who knows if I will leave again. I have always been interested in Eastern Europe and I love Bangkok....we really are lucky to be native speakers. I found a job in Sao Paulo on my second day.[/b]

[Tiger Beer]

[GIR]

If I weren't hitting that point where I feel like settling down a bit, I would probably head to South America, most likely Argentina. I'd like to try and recover my Spanish abilities.

Though if it weren't for the EU giving me the big finger, I'd like to try Europe as well.

[Mapleblondie]

Tiger Beer, thanks for offering your advice about Korea in case I need it sometime down the road.

[parrothead]

This is a fun post, as it reveals the nomad within many of us TEFLers.

Like you, GIR, many places in the EU would be on my shortlist if it weren't so difficult to get a legal foot in the door.